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Rider Guide

Low Floor Buses

Low floor buses make travelling easier for everyone

Saskatoon Transit introduced low-floor service in 1996 to improve access for all customers, including those with canes, crutches, walkers, young children, or burdensome packages. Low floor service allows many more people with reduced mobility the freedom and independence of using public transit services.

Low-Floor buses are also able to provide service for up to two passengers at a time who use mobility devices such as a wheelchair or scooter.

We've dedicated these buses to certain regular routes in the city where potential demand for accessibility features are the greatest.

What is a Low-Floor Bus?

A Low-Floor bus has no steps at the front and rear doors. The floor between the front and rear doors is just 35 cm (14 inches) above the ground.

The front entrance is also equipped with a "kneeling" feature, which, upon request, lowers the front step even more - to about 25 cm (10 inches) from the ground or about 10 cm (4 inches) from the curb. The bus is also equipped with a driver-controlled retractable foldout ramp, which when folded out to the curb makes for a virtually flat entrance into the bus.

Boarding, Securement, and Exiting

To help keep the buses on schedule, it is important that boarding, securing, and exiting the bus is completed as quickly as possible.

A courtesy seating area is available at front of the bus for persons with reduced mobility, including seniors and those using a wheelchair or scooter. These seats are available on a first come first serve basis.

Each low-floor bus the two front seats can be flipped up to accommodate up to two persons in wheelchairs/scooters.

If the bus is full, or is already carrying two customers who use a wheelchair or scooter, the Operator may not be able to pick up another customer using a wheelchair or scooter. Many buses are full during high demand periods such as the morning or afternoon rush hours, so it is advised to avoid these times of day if possible.

Using a low-floor bus

Passengers using a wheelchair or scooter are required to board independently and position their mobility device inside the bus, or bring an attendant to assist them.

The securement belt system provided on the bus is mandatory and service can be denied if securement is refused. Transit drivers will assist with attaching and removing the securement system only – for the safety of our operators and for your safety, operators cannot provide assistance for boarding, positioning or exiting the bus. If you need assistance, please bring a friend or an attendant with you.

Boarding with a Wheelchair or Scooter

Here’s a few tips and tricks that will help make your trip safe and relaxing.

The maximum size of a wheelchair or scooter, including all attachments, on a Low-Floor bus is 71 cm (28 inches) wide, by 122 cm (48 inches) long.

When boarding, keep back at least 1.5 m (5 feet) from the front doors so the ramp can be safely extended.

If you are not able to deposit your own fare into the farebox, the operator will be able to lend you a hand. Please have the fare available in a bag or envelope and easily accessible.

With the wheelchair/scooter in a forward facing position, the securement system must be fastened. Operators will assist with frame belts (coloured red) and a lap belt (coloured black) is provided if your wheelchair/scooter doesn't have one.

Power to electric wheelchairs/scooters must be turned off, and wheelchair brakes must be applied.

Boarding Low-Floor buses with strollers is easy, but once on the bus it’s safer to remove children from the stroller. For everyone’s safety, please keep the stroller out of the aisles.

Persons using crutches, walkers, or other mobility aides are requested to fold or stow the aid in a safe place and out of the way.

For those using a wheelchair or scooter, the Operator will assist with the removal of the securement system and where necessary deploy the kneeling feature and/or ramp for exiting.

Customers travelling in a wheelchair or scooter will notice a yellow touch strip on the edge of the flip-seats. Pressing this strip will notify the driver that you wish to exit the bus at the next stop.